IVBA Meetings And Miscellany

IVBA Agenda for January 9, 2026

I. Call to Order

     a.  Roll Call and introduction of Officers.

     b. Introduction of Guests.

     c. Review of the Secretary’s Minutes November 

     d.  Treasurer’s Report 

     e.  Membership sign-up sheets 

II. Old Business

     a. Dues News 

     b.  Order your IVBA club wear. 

     c.  Please see Warren to request any resources from our lending library. 

     d.  Illinois Waterway Visitor’s Center Update. 

III. New Business

     a.  Review of Questions: What do you know? (if we have some)  

     b.  Are you checking your bees? 

     c.  What to do now for your bees 

     d. Condensing Hives

     e.  Making Sugar Bricks

     f.  Videos: 

     g. Q&A 

IV. Announcements

     a. 50/50 raffle 1/$2 or 6/$10

V. Adjournment

Welcome back to a new year at the IVAB... We had no questions this month but look forward to the new year and what the board comes up with. Here are some topics we discussed during the meeting 

M.L. brought in a frame to show the club what it looks like when pollen is tainted with pesticides in the hive and honey bees encase it with propolis. SEE IMAGE BELOW* 00001

M.L. VP shared with the club videos and images on how he sets up his hives for feeding in the month of January. He recommended checking out Bob Binnie's video on Condensing Bees (Condensation) vs Ventilated  https://youtu.be/KWAxQMBZWQc?si=Qp0G8F1oyfFqHaer

M.L. VP shared images of his sugar patties that he makes in bulk and dumps on top of the hives to help supplement for winter feed. 

 Simple Method: Pour sugar into a large tub slowly add water to mix until a wet sand consistency, portion out into aluminum bread pans, allow to air dry until hardened. Apply by opening hive and gently dumping pan on top frames taking aluminum pan with you. Wear your vail! 

Or if you prefer solid board sugar patty, follow these steps:

1. Mix 2 parts granulated sugar with 1 part water to create a syrup.
2. Heat the mixture gently until the sugar dissolves completely.
3. Allow the syrup to cool before adding any essential oils or vitamins if desired.
4. Pour the syrup into a shallow container or mold to set.
5. Let the mixture harden at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.
6. Place the sugar patty in the hive above the bees for easy access during winter.

To Be Announced:

I. Call to Order

     a. Officers Introduced

     b. Introduction of 3 New Members J.R., D.P. & J.O. 

     c. No November Minutes, waiting on notes to be transferred to new board

     d.  S.S Treasurer’s Report verbally given (Approved by ?)

     e. Memberships sheets were available at the door when signing in. 

II. Old Business

     a. Dues are $20 giving you a years membership with the IVBA and the ISBA.

     b.  Clubwear can be ordered with S.S. (Treasurer) we have hats, shirts, bags almost anything imaginable. 

     c.  New magazines available to the club from the American Bee Journal and  Bee Culture

     d.  B.C. Illinois Waterway Visitor’s Center Update verbally given (posted under Waterway Blog) 

III. New Business

     a.  No questions this month. 

     b.  Dave Meyer from Meyer Bee's talks about the American Beekeeping Federation Conference. Lots of interesting slides and beekeeping information. 

     c.  S.N. personal experience at the  North American Honeybee Expo in Kentucky as a first timer 

     d.  What to do now for February: was not discussed as we ran out of time.

     e.  Information in regards to the Upcoming Beekeeper's Workshop for Saturday March 14th was shared with the club.

        h. Q&A 

IV. Announcements

     a. 50/50 $7 to B.B.

V. Adjournment  (Approved by  G.B. & T.M.)

Notes: At this time most members are reporting positive numbers on overwintered colonies, check back next month to see how the numbers are progressing.